Woodwork saved Keith's life

WHEN Keith Lanham took up woodwork as a hobby he could not have known it would help him cheat death and touch the lives of countless disadvantaged children.

The retired carpenter started woodwork again after he was diagnosed with a deadly viral infection.

“I got back onto woodwork as occupational therapy, I was very sick,” Mr Lanham said.

“At 54 I was given to 60 if I was lucky. My seventh doctor got me back onto woodwork because it provides mental stimulation.

“I’ll have my 76th birthday in January.”

Mr Lanham attributes his survival not only to the therapeutic advantages of woodwork but also to the positive way in which he has used his talents.

For 12 years the Sippy Downs resident has been handcrafting wooden toys for the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, with help from the Youth Justice Service and residents at Hibiscus Retirement Resort. He said his work for the appeal had not only extended his life, but had given him a great deal of satisfaction.

“I’ve found that if one gives out in positive ways he will receive back in positive ways,” he said.

Mr Lanham said he himself had been touched by the generosity of others when he was a child and his parents had little money to spare.

“I got a lot of help from people and I appreciated that,” he said.

After working on toys for the appeal all year long, Mr Lanham has contributed an astounding 658 toys to Kmart Maroochydore’s wishing tree.

With a total of 1541 gifts donated so far, Maroochydore has the highest gift tally in Queensland.

Caloundra has also rated highly, placing in the top five of the 38 Kmart stores in Queensland.

Donations to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal are up more than 12% on the same time last year, however, there is still demand for gifts between now and Christmas Eve.

The Appeal’s charity partner, The Salvation Army, needs a further 48,000 gifts if they are to reach their target of 75,000 gifts for Queensland adults, teenagers and children in need.

Salvation Army Major Neil Dickson said it would take 450 volunteers more than 1200 hours to sort gifts donated to the appeal.

“So the sooner the gifts are delivered, the quicker we can get them in the hands of local branches.” Major Dickson said.

Major Dickson said there was a great need for gifts suitable for teenagers. To make a donation to the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal members of the public can simply place a wrapped or unwrapped gift under the Christmas Wishing Tree located at any Kmart store right up until Christmas Eve. Alternatively cash contributions can be made at any store register.